religion, how to.......????

Question

my sister and i grew up believing in santa claus, we were also brought up as catholics (we grew up and changed our way of thinking). we still believe in God and are more spiritual now BUT,
my question is how can i stop my mother in law, who is a newly devout christian, from filling my kids with HER beliefs. she recently YELLED at my kids! (8 and 5 yr olds) that santa did not bring them their presents that it was baby Jesus.
When i grew up i liked believing in santa and i love to share that belief with my kids.
so.... what do i do or say to my mother in law? she is a part of my kids life and would hate to distance them from her, since, beliefs aside is a good grandmother.

Answer 1

I had this problem when I became a christian. My wife and I did not want to tell our children any lies so we didn't want them to believe in santa. We told our daughter who was almost 9 yrs ols at the time that santa didn't exist. Since then I have felt a feeling of regret and guilt. We took away from our daughter that made her feel good. Something that she believed in that brought joy to her life. In other words we crushed our little daughter's dreams. I decided after that not to make the same mistake with our 6 yr old son. We don't promote santa but when he brings santa up we don't tell him that santa doesn't exist. Thankfully our daughter was at the age where her belief in santa would end anyways with other children telling her as well. Eventhough this was the case I still felt a twinge of guilt. I believe the best thing for you to say to your mother in-law is to ask her what does it hurt if a child believes in santa? Ask her if she believes a child will go to hell if they believe in santa. Hopefully she doesn't believe they will. Ask her if she believes God is merciful. I hope she does. A loving God would not send a child to hell for believing in santa. Then ask her how she felt when she believed insanta. Ask her if she wants to take this magical feeling away from her grandchildren. Then tell her that the children will stop believing in santa eventually but they will never stop believing in Jesus.

believe

Answer 2

I've been thru this with two grandmoms - one a fundy, one devout catholic. I have found that, for me, I put a lot of energy in on this one, when I didn't need to. The kids figuered out for themselves the little areas where grandma was "nuts" and didn't need for me to say anything. Where I *did* say something, I sorta regret it because my mom really is sweet, but they're a little scared of her because of me warning the kids off about some of her beliefs.

If you want to talk to her, you could just say "I love you mom, and that's why I am saying something. I'm sure you didn't want to come across as YELLING at my kids..." And bring up that..."most all kids know Santa brings gifts (And mom, that's how I was raised too). You just don't see ANYbody saying baby jesus brought them, so to get upset with them for it is kinda silly."

Good luck.

Answer 3

Some people believe in Baby Jesus some in Santa. You can say that to your kids. But why not tell them the truth? People this time of the year like to pretend and dress up as Santas, you'll see one in front of many different stores. Neither Santa nor Baby Jesus brings the toys. We adult just like to have fun and surprise you kids! Can you play the game with us and let us surprise you?

Morality begins with teaching honesty. Children love games. They may not like being lied to. Tricks are fun, as long as they are not at the expense of the child's innocence. Have fun with your kids, but don't deceive them!

Answer 4

baby Jesus doesn't bring gifts! That's just silly. But anyway, have you tried talking to your mother-in-law, or having your husband talk to her? Tell her you respect her beliefs but to not yell at your kids about them. Let her know you are a spiritual person, and have your own way that you will raise your kids, and that you want her to continue being in their lives.

If she still won't stop, you might just have to sit down with your kids and try to explain to them that their grandma has her own beliefs which are different from your all's. Tell them you should be nice to her about her beliefs, but explain to them that you just believe differently, or something like that.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Sit down and explain to her that for now while your kids are still small that you don't want to take away thier childhood fun, and that when they get a little older she could sit down and read them the story about Jesus and start a new tradition in the family. Try to be patient with her because many times new Christians are very enthusiastic about thier new relationship with God. She will calm down after awhile.

Answer 6

Truthfully both of you are wrong as far as truth in religion goes. No such thing as Santa Clause, and celebrating Christmas is a Pagan festival that God disapproves of. Exodus32:4-10. And Jesus is no longer a little baby, he is a man in heaven sitting at the right side of his Father. I do hope that you and your mother-in-law resolve your differences. Good Luck!

Answer 7

well i believe in not teaching kids a false reason for christmas myself. one we still have just as much fun opening gifts for a new year and to celebrate the true meaning of christmas and that Jesus was born on that day well we celebrate it for his birth. and 2 we wont have to go thru them being sad when they find out santa is not real. and useally when one finds out they tell the others and if you have like a 3 or 4 year old then they get hurt. might as well start with the truth. believe me you still have just as much fun.

and we also give thanks to Jesus for diying for our sins.

Answer 8

Sit down over a cuppa and just explain to her how you feel and tell her that you are not being nasty but they are your children and you would like her to be the nanna and love, like nannas should and leave the raising of the children to you and your husband. If she is a good Christian she will accept it. Will pray for you

God Bless You

Answer 9

Either talk to her directly or have your husband do it and let her know that although you love her as a grandmother, that it should be up to the parents as to the beliefs their children have and that you want her to respect your wishes. If she refuses, then she don't care about your concerns and maybe shouldn''t be around them if she won't do what you feel is the proper way of raising them.